What We Loved About Bestival 2015

Jonathan Younes

22 May 2017

First Published 18 Sep 2015

Eccentric, diverse and colourful, Bestival is an audio and visual kaleidoscope of fun, where sounds, mischief and mental food for the soul can be found all around the festival site.

This year the theme was "Summer Of Love", and here's what we personally adored about the UK's famous festival season finale...

People really REALLY get involved with the fancy dress theme...

Whether they were dressed up as characters, or incorporated themes of hippy love into their general outfits, it was such a delight to see everyone's different interpretations of the theme.

With the parade taking place on the Saturday, and the public judging by clapometers on the main stage on Sunday, the theme didn't just stop at public involvement, with parts of the site dripping in hearts, peace signs and flowers.

I'd like the chance to give a special mention to the "Love Bus": a cardboard bus of nonsense manned by three happy dudes running into circles of dancing friends, high-fiving people, posing for photos, and kissing randomers on the cheek. Here's me posing with them and eventually getting into the bus with them, joining them for a while with my massive head...

Petting owls and alpacas, Reggaerobics to warm you up in the morning, weddings taking place at The Inflatable Church, endless comical crashes at the Slip'N'Slide, energetic covers of Uptown Funk and more from the New York Brass Band, talks about feminism, yoga workshops, arts and crafts, and political talks, you will NEVER get bored at Bestival.

Whether you are looking for a chance to let loose and laugh at yourself, or expand your mind and chat with like minded people, every kind of mood was catered for over the weekend.

The decor and stages were an Instagrammer's dream...

How many festivals have you been to that would have the world's BIGGEST disco ball on site? None like Bestival, where you'll also find a massive robot en route to the arena, mermaids on cranes gliding through bubbles, the insanely beautiful Bollywood tent entrance, and a fairy lighted wishing tree with a mini club inside are just a small example of what makes Bestival feel like a visual Disneyland for festival-heads.

The diversity of the lineup matched perfectly with the decadent cocktail mix of people who attended...

With a lineup mixing rightfully worshipped legends with insanely creative game changers, moving from the captivating and eerie yet beautiful ethereal sounds of FKA Twigs, to the infectious dance selections of Jackmaster on the Friday night was schedule perfection for us.

Throughout the weekend we were treated to the scratching wizardry of DJ Yoda, the unapologetic hype of Boy Better Know, the front to back crowd dancing during the Hospitality takeover at The Port Stage, smiles all round during both of Annie Mac's sets, and of course a very warm welcome back to the true queen of rap Missy Elliott.

Like the lineup, those who attended Bestival were up for all kinds of fun. I'm sure we can all say at one festival or another, we have been this guy...

Overall I can 100% say that Bestival deserves all the hype and end of year obsessions it attracts. You could easily attend the festival and not see any music, instead losing yourself in the other activities happening around the festival, but then if it's pure music you want, you'll be spoilt for choice.

Of all the festivals I have attended this year Bestival also has one of the BEST firework finales ever! While the rain stunted its beginning, once in full motion, fitting in with the Summer of Love theme, songs like Love Is In The Air and All You Need Is Love pumped out from the main stage, as fireworks filled the sky (some heart shaped may we add) whilst the crowd sung and hugged each other, doused in heart confetti.

If you do attend any UK festivals next year, make sure this is top of your list! Until next year, thanks for having us Bestival!

P.S I'd also like to give another special mention this time to our partners Podpads, if you want to treat yourself to boutique camping then Podpads is the best way to do it.